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Artists
Currently one of Canada's premiere professional jazz ensembles dedicated entirely to original music written by Montreal-based composer and saxophonist Beth McKenna, Beth McKenna Jazz Orchestra has represented Montreal on the world stage and is recognized by artists and industry professionals alike.
BMJO was founded in 2013 by Beth (23 years old at the time) to address several issues, trends and injustices in the jazz community worldwide. Beth's approach was edgy, independent and outspoken as she took her formal training from the Schulich School of Music (McGill University)'s Jazz program. The ensemble's original membership boasted a strong representation of women, about 50/50 split of Anglophones and Francophones from all over the local community, and Montreal-based artists who are originally from hometowns from across Canada. Most* of the ensemble's regular members are between the ages of 25-40 as well.
Beth's unique approach to writing maintained many of the fundamental rules of writing for large jazz ensemble, but also reinvented, manipulated and twisted many of those rules and roles artistically to create her own individual sound as a composer. This was developed under the supervision and mentorship of award-winning composers and bandleaders Christine Jensen, Darcy James Argue, Jim McNeely and John Roney with project funding from the Conseil des arts et lettres du Quebec (CALQ) over two consecutive years. Beth also takes a great deal of influence and inspiration from well-known artists Maria Schneider, Radiohead, Brad Mehldau, Noordpool Orchestra, Snarky Puppy, Keith Jarrett, Guillaume Martineau, Patrick Watson, Christine Jensen, etc.
Beth's approach to writing is unique to the individually selected artists in her ensemble. Hand-picked for their diverse and versatile stylistic abilities, drive to perform new music and for their individual approach to soloist playing as well as ability to play in a large ensemble. She is boldly blending genres, writing with influences of cinematic-rock, indie, soul/R&B, contemporary, world music and modern jazz. Her writing lends space for soloists to take control of the music and add their own interpretation in communication/interaction with the other soloists and rhythm section. Her through-composed writing style gives expansive sections for her musicians to communicate and build together, and for them to make the framework on the score come off the page and alive with their own additions and style.
Shirley Wu
Pianist at Opus One Music
Canadian pianist Shirley Wu has accomplished her studies at Royal College of Music, London, UK. Between 2009 and 2013, Shirley completed her studies of Physiology and Piano Performance at University McGill, where she obtained her bachelor diploma in 2013. Before McGill, Shirley studied at Vanier College and obtained a Double D.E.C. in Science (Pure Science) and Music (Piano Performance).
In 2012, Shirley was hired as the pianist / assistant at Steinway Montreal, showcasing Vladimir Horowitz’ wedding gift piano while it was on exhibition. Shirley has performed extensively across Canada, United States, as well as in Europe, at venues such as Pollack hall in Montreal, Koerner Hall in Toronto, Seattle Art Museum and London St Mary’s Battersea church in London UK.
Shirley enjoys performing solo repertoire and also playing chamber music. Shirley played at San Francisco’s Classical Revolution Cafe, and Groupmuse in the U.S. In 2014, Shirley founded a company Opus One Music to promote the social function of chamber music by producing events with her musician friends. Shirley joined Seattle Ladies Musical club in 2015 in order to deepen her understanding of Western music within Western culture.
Upon graduation in 2017 from Royal College of Music, Shirley participated in Banff Arts Centre’ Fall Musician Residency. In 2019, Shirley was selected to participate in the Budapest Concerto Competition where she had the opportunity to perform excerpts from Chopin’s E minor piano concerto with Budapest State Symphony Orchestra at the prestigious Danube Palace.
As an academic researcher, Shirley did research on the level of understanding of Performance Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (PRMDs) among music students in Canada. Currently Shirley offers group or individual meetings to help musicians' mental preparation for concerts and exams. Shirley became a guest lecturer at McGill University Schulich School of Music in March 2019.